Minority Aid

May 27, 1985

TALLAHASSEE — Legislation designed to help minority businesses cleared the Senate's Commerce Committee after an explosive debate. Senate Dean Dempsey Barron, who has served in the Legislature 29 years, called it the ''second worst'' bill he had ever seen. The bill: Would set up a $5 million revolving loan fund to help black businesses and allow up to 25 percent of multibillion-dollar state pension and other trust funds to be invested in the loan program. It also would require state agencies to set a goal of allocating 15 percent of their contracts to businesses owned by blacks, Hispanics, other minority group members and women. The House already has passed a similar bill.